COL Allen Milman

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The Veteran Corps of Artillery mourns the passing of our own Colonel Allen I. Milman on Saturday, October 30, 2021. He was 81 years of age.

COL Milman was a native New Yorker, born in the Highbridge section of the Bronx on October 10, 1940. As a young man, he joined the U.S. Army achieving the National Defense Medal upon completion of Basic Training. Shortly thereafter, he returned to civilian life and pursued a career in construction.  In 1973 while building a hotel in Haiti he met the love of his life, Helga Hackenbruch and soon took her hand in marriage.  In the late 1970’s he began yet another career in advertising.  Advancing to executive positions in the field, he developed a 30-year relationship with the Danish Government. For his work with the Danish Government, various companies and organizations which promoted tourism and international business relations, COL Milman was bestowed with the Knight’s Cross of the Danish Royal Order of The Dannebrog by The Royal Family of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Outside of business ventures, The Boy Scouts of America held a special place in his heart.  For over seventy years he worked tirelessly for America’s youth, rising to the position of Board Member on both the Manhattan and Greater New York councils. COL Milman was also an avid outdoorsman and in the late 1990’s was sought after by the NRA to help promote marksmanship and shooting sports in New York City.  Answering the call, he and others founded The Big Apple Friends of the NRA, which he presided over as President for five years, gaining many charitable contributions.

More recently, COL Milman, whom was never one to fully retire from the business life, found satisfaction bringing his talents to bear working for non-profit organizations including The Red Cross and Salvation Army.

Always a patriot and eager to express his love of country and military, in June of 1987 COL Milman enlisted as a private in the Veteran Corps of Artillery, which became a lifelong passion of service spanning over 34 years. He relished in the history and the traditions of the Corps and sought to expose everyone he met to its legacy. His love of history also led him to become a founding member of the Lower Manhattan Historical Association, which today boasts several public events highlighting the history of New York City and the Veteran Corps of Artillery. He was also instrumental in the development and subsequent awarding of L.M.H.A.’s Annual Alexander Hamilton Achievement Award.

COL Milman’s service to the Corps was invaluable. His enthusiasm for life and the knowledge that every day brought endless opportunities to expose new generations of people to the legacy of the VCA was infectious. From Private to his promotion to full Colonel on no less a date than the 4th of July in 2018, it was befitting for a man with such a love of country and corps!

During his years of service, he held numerous positions within the Corps; among these were Public Affairs Officer, Aide De Camp to the Commandant, Vice Commandant and most recently Chief of Staff. His awards include the Department of The Army’s Commendation Medal, The New York State Military Commendation Medal, The Order of St. Barbara Artillery Medal, and the VCA 30 Year Long and Faithful Service Medal.

COL Milman will long be remembered for his patriotism, love of family and Corps. A husband, comrade and friend, he will be dearly missed. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Helga.

A memorial service is being planned by his wife for some time in January of 2022, at which time military honors will be rendered by the Corps.

On behalf of the Commandant, VCASNY, its officers and enlisted, we wish to extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family. REQUIEM IN PACE.  

Commemoration Day of the War of 1812

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Greetings to all soldiers and officers of the VCASNY,

                On behalf of the Commandant, the Public Affairs Office wishes to express a heartfelt thank you for your service to all members of the Corps, as we celebrate the 8th annual Commemoration Day of the War of 1812, first decreed by Proclamation on 27 April, 2013 at the direction of Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York. 

                This historic event occurring within Central Park at the Block House, a military defensive fortification built in 1814 to defend Manhattan Island against British incursion, marked the first time that representatives of four historic societies gathered together to honor those who proudly served in the War of 1812.  The Veteran Corps of Artillery provided field music along with the rendering of honors and speeches by members of the VCA, the Military Society of the War of 1812, along with the Society of the Second War with Great Britain and societies of the United States Daughters of 1812, representing both the statewide society as well as members of the New York City chapter.

                Now as then, Americans should be rightfully proud of our national heritage and honor the memory of all who answered the call of service and sacrifice to ensure that our country would endure!

                Members of the Corps should be duly inspired and uplifted with esprit de corps in the knowledge that they have earned the privilege of uniformed service in the preservation of the rich legacy of military history in the State of New York and carrying forward the traditions and legacy of patriotism in service to the United States of America.

Very respectfully,

Rory Capra
MAJ 9th FA VCASNY
PAOIC

Virtual Salute to the Union

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Celebrating July 4th, 2020 Virtually

Veteran Corps of Artillery Firing Howitzers at The Battery

THE TRADITION CONTINUES!!

Please join us Independence Day for our Annual Salute to the Union.

Without our ability this July 4th to gather at Battery Park, we are doing a very special tribute virtually.

Join us right now! Click on the link below.

Fort Hamilton Update

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COVID Positives Update: Due to the dynamic nature of this crisis, we will post a daily update of known positive test results for COVID-19 which directly impact our community.

Fort Hamilton now has 11 COVID-19 positive tests from personnel who live or work on the installation. They are all isolated as directed by their health care provider. We’re taking aggressive actions to mitigate risk as soon as we find out an individual has tested positive, or is deemed to be a presumptive positive. Contact tracing is being conducted immediately and employees who have been in direct contact are instructed to go into quarantine.

The 6 most recent positive test results not yet posted are:

-Two employees from building 210 Last date here was March 19th and March 24th.

-One employee from building 123/PX Last here was March 16th.

-Three employees from building 212. Two last date here was March 8th. Third last date here was March 16th.

We ask anyone who shows symptoms to stay home and contact your medical provider. We ask that all community members implement measures to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to protect the force.

Fort Hamilton Advisory

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Effective Thursday morning, March 19th Fort Hamilton will move to Health Protection Condition Charlie. (HPCON Charlie) The measures include curtailing/closure of certain services, telework considerations & limited access to the installation.

Installation access will be limited to those who live and work on Fort Hamilton, mail and package delivery, contractors & mission-essential services. There will be 100 % ID check. This measure is being implemented to reduce the number of personnel on the installation to mitigate the spread of the virus.

For the duration of this temporary protective measure, the following personnel will have not have access to the base: Veterans under the expanded patronage act and retirees, nor members of the Fort Hamilton Community Club that do not live or work on Fort Hamilton.

We understand the impact & do not take it lightly. We recognize that this is a very dynamic situation and conditions will continue to change. We will continue to make risk-based decisions which are fully informed by health experts, senior leaders and government leaders from local to National level. We will remain transparent as possible and actively communicate those decisions to you. It’s important that we take precautionary measures to protect the health of the force and maintain operational readiness in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic.

NYC Coronavirus update

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Morning everyone. As always be safe, and alert. You’ve been trained in different ways for situations like this. Re-assure your loved ones and friends. Times are strange but we will prevail.

Latest Updates – article below.

NYC school closings

Restaurants are limiting operations to take out only.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/03/16/world/coronavirus-news.amp.html